Post navigation

Thomas Aquinas on the Word *Mass*

I was reading the Summa theologiae of Saint Thomas Aquinas today on the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist and I came across this interesting etymology of the term missa from which we derive the English word “Mass.” Many people say that “Ite missa est,” refers to a dismissal of the people, i.e. “The assembly is dismissed.” However, Thomas refers it to the priest “sending” the prayer or the victim Christ to God, as in: “The prayer is sent.”

And from this the mass derives its name [missa; because the priest sends [mittit] his prayers up to God through the angel, as the people do through the priest. or else because Christ is the victim sent [missa] to us: accordingly the deacon on festival days “dismisses” the people at the end of the mass, by saying: “Ite, missa est,” that is, the victim has been sent [missa est] to God through the angel, so that it may be accepted by God. {STh III, q. 83, a. 4}

Download My Book for Free

Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages

Over 15,000 copies downloaded! This is a quick and easy way to learn the basic philosophy and theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Popes of the last 300 years have endorsed St Thomas Aquinas. Learn more through this accessible resources. Download it for free.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Post navigation

Comments Policy: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic. If your comment contains a hyperlink to another site, your comment automatically goes into "Comments Purgatory" where it waits for release by way of moderation.

2TownSquares

I knew “Missa” had to do with “sent” but I was told we were “sent.” Makes more sence, when St Thomas Aquinas, says Christ’s Haulocost is sent to God.

Agnieszka

In Polish, it’s translated as;(Priest/Deacon): “The Sacrifice has been offered/”fulfilled””(People): “Thanks be to God”.

Matthew Markovich

Now this is beautiful! Make so much more sense than all the other explanations I’ve heard and read over the years. Maybe it should be translated that way in English.Is there a way I can get a Polish Missal?

Elizabeth

The English missal is soon coming out with the proper translation from Latin, the way we’ve had it in Polish from the beginning of the translation (from Latin). Somehow the English translation was done hastily, inadequately and therefore needed a major revision. The revision has been accomplished and is about to be printed for the English speaking church. Watch out for it in the upcoming year!

Tap

Maybe now Catholics can stop being ashamed of the word Mass. Stop treating it like some circular innovation, and somehow the word Liturgy is superior.

Taylor Marshall

Absolutely. And we should always refer to “Holy Mass,” not merely “Mass.” Orgo all out and say, “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”ad Jesum per Mariam,Taylor

lome

I would like to congratulate and welcome this child of God Taylor Marshall.May we have more of him.I ‘ll include him in my prayers..

Tap

btw , i meant “secular”, but i suppose you understood what i meant.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/04906560225714328197 joven

beautiful blog..pls visit mine and be a follower.. thanks and God bless..

About Taylor

I am the author of the Amazon bestselling novel Sword and Serpent: A Retelling of Saint George and the Dragon, and 5 other published books on topic ranging from Judaism, Catholicism, Thomas, Aquinas, and Roman history.

I'm also the President of the New Saint Thomas Institute where we offer online theology classes to over 1,500 students in 27 nations.